Alabama Football: Key Offensive Players to Watch in 2025 Spring Practice

As the University of Alabama football program gears up for the 2025 spring practice, the Crimson Tide’s offense faces pivotal questions. From new faces to emerging veterans, the 2025 spring practices offer a crucial opportunity for players to assert themselves and carve out roles for the upcoming season. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has consistently reloaded with talent, and 2025 will be no exception. While many of the biggest names on the team will likely come from the defensive side of the ball, Alabama’s offense still carries significant intrigue.

With that in mind, let’s take a deep dive into two offensive players who could define the 2025 Crimson Tide spring practice: Jalen Milroe (Quarterback) and Justice Haynes (Running Back). Both players are at critical points in their careers and could make significant impacts in how Alabama’s offense is shaped for the 2025 season.

1. Jalen Milroe: The Quarterback Battle

Early Career Overview

Jalen Milroe, a former four-star recruit, has long been a player that Alabama fans have kept an eye on. Entering the 2025 spring practice, he will be a key figure in one of the most intriguing position battles of the year. A dual-threat quarterback with a blend of size, arm strength, and mobility, Milroe has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Alabama but has yet to establish himself as the full-time starter.

Milroe’s development over the past few seasons will be under intense scrutiny. In 2023, as a backup to Bryce Young, Milroe’s appearances were limited, but his potential was evident. He displayed impressive athleticism, mobility, and a strong arm but also had moments where his decision-making and consistency were questioned. Milroe did enough to earn the starting nod in 2024 after Young’s departure to the NFL, but the results were mixed, and the Crimson Tide offense often sputtered at times, especially in the passing game.

Spring Practice Focus: Consistency and Leadership

Spring practice in 2025 will be an essential time for Milroe to assert his leadership, refine his skills, and demonstrate the maturity required to lead the Crimson Tide offense. Given the transition to a new season, Alabama’s coaching staff will be looking to see how Milroe handles the pressure of being the starting quarterback for a program with national championship expectations. It’s a high-stakes environment for Milroe, who needs to show more consistency in his passing game while continuing to leverage his ability to create plays with his legs.

One area of focus for Milroe will be his footwork and mechanics. While Milroe possesses the raw talent necessary to succeed in the SEC, he will need to improve his accuracy and touch on deep throws. Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will be keenly focused on his ability to read defenses and make quick, decisive decisions in the pocket, especially with the increasing complexity of SEC defenses.

Additionally, Milroe’s leadership ability will come into sharper focus during spring practice. How he interacts with his teammates, particularly the offensive line and wide receivers, will go a long way in determining whether he can become a consistent and reliable leader for this Alabama offense. Milroe’s leadership skills and ability to develop chemistry with his offensive playmakers will be critical in determining the effectiveness of the Crimson Tide’s passing game in 2025.

Strengths and Potential Impact

Milroe’s strengths are evident in his dual-threat abilities. He is a legitimate running threat, with the ability to break off long runs and make defenders miss in the open field. If Milroe can develop into a more consistent passer, his combination of arm talent and mobility could elevate Alabama’s offense to a new level.

The ability to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally makes Milroe a potentially dangerous weapon in Alabama’s offensive scheme. Alabama will likely want to build their offense around Milroe’s skill set, leveraging his ability to run the football while also incorporating play-action passes, rollouts, and designed quarterback runs to keep opposing defenses on their heels.

Milroe’s development in the 2025 spring practices will be crucial in setting the tone for the Alabama offense. A successful spring could put him in a strong position to be named the starter, while struggles could open the door for other quarterbacks to compete for the job. Milroe’s performance will likely dictate how Alabama approaches the 2025 season, and he could be the key to the offense’s success or failure.

2. Justice Haynes: The Future of Alabama’s Backfield

Recruiting Profile and Early Career

Justice Haynes, a five-star running back from Georgia, is another player who could define Alabama’s 2025 spring practice. Haynes, a highly touted recruit in the 2024 class, is poised to make an immediate impact in the Alabama backfield. Known for his vision, speed, and balance, Haynes enters his sophomore season with high expectations. He is considered by many to be the future of the Alabama running game and could quickly emerge as one of the team’s most dynamic offensive weapons.

Haynes enrolled at Alabama in time for the 2024 season, but despite a crowded running back room, he was able to carve out a role as a true freshman. While he did not start every game, Haynes showcased the traits that made him one of the top recruits in his class. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field and gain extra yardage after contact made him a reliable option in Alabama’s backfield. However, he still has a lot of work to do to become the feature back in the Crimson Tide’s offense.

Spring Practice Focus: Elevating to the Starting Role

Justice Haynes enters the 2025 spring practice with the chance to establish himself as the go-to back for Alabama. The starting running back job is likely up for grabs after the departure of key players, and Haynes has an opportunity to seize that role and become a focal point of the offense.

One area where Haynes will look to improve during spring practice is his ability to handle a full workload as a feature back. In the SEC, running backs often need to carry the ball 20 to 30 times per game, and Haynes will need to prove that he can handle that level of responsibility. This involves not only running the football effectively but also blocking and catching passes out of the backfield. Haynes will need to demonstrate his versatility in the spring to prove he can be a three-down back capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game.

Additionally, Haynes will likely face competition from other talented running backs, including sophomore Roydell Williams and incoming freshmen. Spring practice will provide him with the chance to show his value in comparison to these other backs. If Haynes can impress the coaching staff with his work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to be productive in all phases of the offense, he could position himself as the feature back for 2025.

Strengths and Potential Impact

Justice Haynes is a dynamic player who possesses a rare combination of power, agility, and vision. His ability to hit the hole with speed, make defenders miss, and pick up yards after contact will be essential for Alabama’s running game. The Crimson Tide will rely on Haynes to be a bell-cow back who can control the tempo of games, especially in SEC play, where physicality and ball control are often the keys to success.

Haynes also possesses excellent hands out of the backfield, which makes him a valuable asset in the passing game. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield could add another dimension to the offense and create mismatches for opposing defenses. The more Haynes can prove himself as a well-rounded player during spring practice, the more likely it is that he will become a key contributor in 2025.

If Haynes can take the next step in his development during the 2025 spring practice, he has the potential to be one of the most dynamic and explosive running backs in the country. His ability to carry the offense on his shoulders, both in the running game and in the passing game, could make him a game-changer for Alabama in 2025.

Key Players in a Defining Spring

The 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide offense will have a lot of question marks, but two players—Jalen Milroe and Justice Haynes—are in the perfect position to define the unit during spring practice. Milroe’s development as a consistent, dynamic quarterback will shape the team’s offensive identity, while Haynes’ emergence as the feature back could be the key to establishing a balanced and potent rushing attack.

With Nick Saban at the helm and a talented supporting cast around them, both Milroe and Haynes have the potential to thrive and lead the Crimson Tide offense back to prominence. Spring practice will be an essential proving ground for both players, and how they perform could ultimately determine the trajectory of Alabama’s 2025 season. Fans and coaches alike will be closely watching how these two players, among others, develop during the spring as they set the stage for another championship-caliber season.